Charity ball sets its target above $30,000

NEW Hope India Charity Ball organisers want to top last year's fund-raising effort and collect more than $30,000 for relief organisation Friends of New Hope India Relief Australia later this month.

Presented by Freelife Church, ball co-ordinator Pete Towns said about 130 people were expected to turn out at Inveresk's The Tramsheds dressed in traditional Indian or semi-formal attire.

``We raised $30,000 last year so I can't see how that will be a problem . . . I have double the donations in already,'' Mr Towns said.

``There will be a dessert auction, silent auction and live auction along with music.''

Funds raised will be used by the charity for a windmill, leprosy patients, food packages, vocational training, scholarships, wheelchairs, cataract eye surgeries and old-age cottages in the Indian subcontinent.

Entry costs $75 a person, which includes a two-course Indian meal.

To donate auction items or buy a ticket, visit the Freelife Church office at 4 Invermay Road, Inveresk.